Cano's agents recently presented a request for about $260 million over nine years to the New Yankees. The team countered with an offer of $160 million to $175 million over seven years. Since then, they Yankees have agreed to a seven-year, $153 million deal with free agent Jacoby Ellsbury.

The Ellsbury deal doesn't necessarily preclude the Yanks from re-signing the 31-year-old Cano.

Cano has been one of baseball's top players, finishing with a Baseball Reference WAR of at least 7.6 three of the last four seasons. In 2013, he hit .314/.383/.516 with 27 homers and New York's only consistent source of offense. He finished fifth in MVP voting.

The Mariners finished 12th in the AL in runs scored in 2013 and could use Cano's bit bat in the middle of their lineup.